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I have had a whooshing/buzzing heartbeat in my right ear for about 2 weeks. I woke up suddenly with it one morning and I freaked out! I went to the doctor for a check up but she couldn't see anything due to my ear canal being almost completely plugged with wax. I have used earwax dissolving drops to get rid of it. I don't hear it most of the time, only when I move my head to certain positions. I have noticed it is louder when my night time jaw-clenching and tooth grinding has been bad. Could it be something serious or something related to muscular tension from TMJ?

There are so many possible causes for pulsatile tinnitus that it's hard to say. But I have heard of other people who experienced pulsating who had jaw or TMJ problems. I think you should just give it some time, and see if it goes away. If not, you could consider seeing a dentist or a TMJ specialist; they might be able to fit you with a mouth guard that would keep you from grinding your teeth, and it might help your jaw problems.

Hi @Karen,
I went to see a nurse and she just thought it was wax, but I hadn't heard of wax causing PT so I felt misunderstood and fobbed off. I've been using the drops because my ear has been feeling full but TMJ seems to be the most likely cause. Whenever I fully open my jaw it stops completely, albeit my jaw crunches and cracks when I do. I have a mouth guard but it doesn't seem to be working

Most ENT do not take PT seriously. I tell you that as a PT sufferer. I do also have TMJ/Bruxism issues, and still not fully erupted lower wisdom teeth. Might be coincidence, but my right wisdom tooth has a sac formed behind, possibly leading to a small dental cyst. (my PT is also right-sided and it's not constant - normally I get it when I'm calm - laying down or sitting).
But the exact cause of my PT is still a mystery to me.
Bottom line - check your teeth and your jaws. A good dentist can direct you towards this.
Goodluck.

Hi @Magik ,
I am hoping to see my dentist in a couple of weeks to see if he can fix this for me. Every time I open my jaw fully the PT stops, so maybe I just need to have everything realigned? I just hope it's nothing serious!

I hope your dentist is able to help you. I have pulsatile tinnitus (as well as regular tinnitus), and there are many other possible causes. If that doesn't work, the next step might be to get checked out by an ENT, if you can find one who understands, or a neurologist/neurotologist.